Babu Owino Touts Himself as ODM’s Strongest Contender for Nairobi Governor in 2027

By : Mweru Mbugua

Embakasi East Member of Parliament Babu Owino has declared himself the leading contender for the Nairobi gubernatorial seat in the 2027 General Election, urging the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) to adopt a fresh and aggressive campaign strategy in the capital

Speaking during an interview on Ramogi FM on Tuesday, Owino expressed confidence in his electoral prospects, citing opinion polls that he claims place him ahead of other potential candidates in the race

“All opinion polls indicate that I am ahead in this Governor race here in Nairobi,” the legislator said, projecting optimism about his chances of clinching the influential seat

Owino described Nairobi as a strategic stronghold for ODM, arguing that the party should fully capitalise on the opportunity by allowing him to campaign freely across all constituencies in the county

“Nairobi is low-hanging fruit. They should just release me to go vie and defend all MCA seats in Nairobi,” he stated, suggesting that internal party dynamics may be limiting his current campaign efforts

Drawing from Kenya’s political history, the MP pointed to the late ODM leader Raila Odinga’s ability to attract cross-ethnic support as a model for winning in the cosmopolitan capital

“Even Baba Raila Odinga got over one million votes from the Kikuyus,” Owino noted, adding that a different approach is needed in election campaigns to reflect Nairobi’s diverse voter base

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He further positioned himself as a unifying figure capable of transcending ethnic and political divisions, calling on party members to prioritise voter mobilisation over internal rivalries

“Let’s get out and campaign to get votes and not be petty with politics,” he said

As the 2027 General Election draws closer, Nairobi’s political landscape remains fluid, with several aspirants expected to join the race for the county’s top seat

Owino’s bold pronouncements, however, signal his intention to make the governor’s contest a central battleground, banking on his popularity and what he describes as strong polling numbers to secure victory